Homemade Play-dough + 10 Educational Activity Ideas

Homemade Play-dough + 10 Educational Activity Ideas – Keep this recipe and list handy for the next snow day or any quiet afternoon!

As a former elementary education teacher, I can attest that, working with play-dough is a multi-faceted activity that can be used to teach, entertain, and create. With a lot of us still in the throes of winter, this is a great activity to pass the time – better yet, extend the activity by making your own!

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Mix flour, salt, oil, lemon juice, and water in a pot.
2. Place on medium heat and continue to stir until it forms into a stiff ball.
3. Remove from heat and place onto parchment paper to cool.
4. Once it is cool enough to touch, knead the dough for a few minutes.
5. Last, divide the play-doh, add food coloring, and knead until the color is consistent throughout.

This project takes about a half hour including the cooling time, making it the perfect project to accomplish with your kids.

Some of my very favorite activities to do with kids ages 2-5 include:
1. Using cookie cutters to make shapes.
2. Rolling into a snake.
3. Practicing cutting with a knife.
4. Poking shapes or letters into the play-doh with a straw or fork.
5. Talking about color names and making new colors by mixing.
6. Rolling pieces into balls to practice counting.
7. Sculpting imaginative characters/animals.
8. Story telling.
9. Pattern making.
10. Practicing simple addition and subtraction.

5 comments on “Homemade Play-dough + 10 Educational Activity Ideas”

Finally i found the perfect recipe for home made play doh which is super easy and cheap! My 4.5yo helped mix the colours and enjoys playing with them. I’m also not worried
to allow my 15m old to play as the ingredients are harmless. However may i know if refrigeration is required to make these last? Or are they lm just stored in an air tight container?